Car-coupling



F. J. TERNES AND W. C. ADKINS.

CAR COUPLING. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3, 1920.

1,370,929. Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

A I v Qk/WZJ Wm W'fl iifiziza' F. J. TERNES AND W. c. ADKINS,

CAR COUPLING.

MiPLlCATIQN HLED JUNE 3, 1920.

1 370,929 Patented Mar. 8, 1921. 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

2 26 13 2 /4 A3 A9 Z 2 2 1 I 5. V1. 20 k/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CAR-COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

Application filed June 3, 1920. Serial No. 386,277.

To aZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that we, FRANK J. TERNES and 11mm C. ADKINS, citizens of the United States residing at Henderson, in the county of Henderson, State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Car-Coupling, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to car couplers and has for its object the provision of means whereby cars may be automatically coupled.

Further the coupling devices may be swung to the side of the platform, provision being made for retaining the same in this position.

it-h these and other objects in view as will appear from the following description the invention resides in the novel form and combination of parts more particularly described and claimed, it being understood that slight changes may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing forming a part of this specification Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the adjacent ends of two cars equipped with our invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section similar to the showing of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the end of a car equipped with the improved coupler.

Referring to the drawing in which like reference characters are used to designate like parts throughout the several figures the numerals 5 and 6 indicate opposite ends of cars of any desired construction.

It is to be understood that each car is to be provided with a device such as shown in the drawing.

The device located on the end of the car 5 comprises a coupling bar 7, provided with an undercut portion 8. The bar 7 is pivotally mounted on a bolt or pin 9 which is secured to a platform 10 extending from the car body.

The undercut portion 8 of the coupling bar 7 is provided with a depending lug 11 having a beveled forward face 12, the purpose of which will presently appear. The end of the car 6 is provided with a coupling bar 13, having a reduced extension 14, which is provided with an opening 15 adapted to receive the lug 11 when the cars are in coupling position with the undercut portion of the bar 7 overlying the extension 14;. The forward end of the extension 1 1 is beveled as indicated at 16, so that as the cars approach for coupling the bevels 12 and 16 will be engaged to lift the lug 11 for seating in the opening 15.

The bar 13 is secured to a platform 17 similar to the platform 10, being pivoted on a bolt 18 in like manner to the bar 7. Each of the bars 7 and 13 is permitted a limited amount of vertical movement to compensate for irregularities in the track level. To provide this movement and still retain the bars in horizontal alinement, each of the coupling bolts 9 and 18 carries washers 19 and 20 between which a coil spring 21 is interposed.

In this way the coupling bars are positioned for automatic coupling; are free to necessary movement incident to uneven portions of the track and also permit one of the bars 7 to be lifted for uncoupling by means of a lever 22 which is a part of a rock shaft 23 mounted in bearings 24 secured to the end of the car. The shaft 23 extends to opposite sides of the car and is provided with crank arms 25 so that the coupling may be operated from eitherside of the car. A link 26 or other connection extends from the lever 22 and is connected to the bar 7.

Further the flexibility of the connection of the coupling bars to the platform permits the bars to be swung on their pivots and placed on the platform. Provision is made for supporting the bars against accidental displacement when so positioned on the platform which consists of openings 27 in the platform adapted to receive the lug 11. The platform 17 is provided at opposite sides thereof with bosses 28 which enter the opening 15 when the bar is moved to a position over the said lugs. The coupling bars are thus supportedin a position which permits the cars to be stored in a space much less than would otherwise be possible.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described; a platform; a coupling member supported on the platform; a pivot pin upstanding from the platform and passing through the coupling member, the coupling member being mounted on a pivot pin for vertical swinging movement and for horizontal swinging movement; and spring means carried by the pivot element and cooperating with the coupling member to resist the vertical swinging movement of the coupling member.

2. In a device of the class described; a platform; a coupling member supported on the platform; a pivot pin upstanding from the platform and passing through the coupling member; a head on the upper end of the pin and a helical spring surrounding the pin, the coupling member being mounted on the pivot pin for vertical swinging movement and for horizontal swinging movement, the spring cooperating with the head and with the coupling to resist the vertical swinging movement of the coupling member.

3. In a device of the class described; a platform; a pin upstanding from the platform; a coupling member supported on the platform and mounted on the pin for vertical and lateral swinging movement; a pair of washers on the pin, one washer being retained by the pin, the other washer engaging the coupling member, the washers having.

annular seats and a helical spring surrounding the pin, the ends of the spring received in the annular seats, the spring acting to re sist the vertical swinging movement of the coupling member.

4. In a device of the class described; a coupling member; means for holding the coupling member in an inoperative position when the coupling member is swung laterally and vertically; means for mounting the coupling member for vertical and lateral swinging movement; and spring means resisting the vertical swinging movement of the coupling member when said member is in coupling position and when said member is en aged with the holding means.

5. In a device of the class described; a

platform; a pin upstanding from the platform; a coupling member supported on the platform and having an opening receiving the pin, and permitting lateral swinging movement of the coupling member, the intermediate portion of the opening being of substantially the same diameter as the pin to prevent a right line reciprocation of the coupling member, the opening being flared .at its ends to permit vertical swinging movement of the coupling member and spring means carried by the pin and cooperating with the coupling member to limit vertical swinging movement of the coupling member.

6. In a device of the class described; a platform; a pivot element upstanding from the platform; a coupling member supported on the platform and mounted on the pivot element for vertical swinging movement and for lateral swinging movement into an inoperative position; interengaging elements on the coupling member and on the platform coacting to hold the coupling member in inoperative position when a combined lateral and vertical swinging movement is imparted to the coupling member; and resilient means carried by the pivot element and coacting with the coupling member for resisting the vertical swinging movement of the coupling member.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own, we have hereto affixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK J. TERNES. WILLIE o. ADKINS.

Witnesses CHARLIE Hnnzoo, SHIRLEY RPM. 

